The Most Dangerous Road in Missouri

Highway 63, which runs north and south throughout the state, has been deemed the most dangerous highway in Missouri. Seeing nearly 180 fatalities over the past 10 years. Some stretches of 63 have only two lanes and no barrier between traffic moving in opposite directions. According to an article from NRP, however, the cost of making Highway 63 safe is prohibitive and may have to wait until a voter-approved tax increase can be established.

Twelfth Most Deadly State

Missouri has been ranked the 12th most deadly state for motor vehicle accidents. Data compiled by 24/7 Wall St. finds that Missouri falls between Florida and Tennessee for the highest number of fatal traffic accidents in the United States.

A majority of the most dangerous states to drive in can be found in the Southern part of the country. The Midwest and Northeast see the fewest number of fatal traffic accidents on average, with Missouri being an outlier.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an auto accident in Missouri, you may be entitled to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. The quickest way to learn about your options is through a private, confidential and free consultation with one of the car accident lawyers at Brown & Brown.

The Deadliest Highway Segment

While Highway 63 is the most dangerous road in Missouri, the section of highway with the most fatal crashes in Missouri can be found along Interstate 270. The section of I-270 that runs between McDonnell Boulevard in Hazelwood and Lilac Avenue in Spanish Lake sees more fatal traffic accidents than any other stretch of road in our state. However, due to the length of that section of interstate, the number of accidents per mile traveled is lower than in other areas of the State.

In Wellston, the section of Page Avenue that runs between Sutter Avenue and R.M. Moore Avenue sees around 5.59 fatal crashes per mile traveled, making it nearly five-times more deadly than I-270. Several intersections in the greater St. Louis area see frequent accidents as well, all of which contribute to our state’s ranking on the list of most dangerous places to drive. Knowing this, how you drive becomes even more important.

How to Avoid an Accident

It is not always possible to avoid a traffic accident, even if you are driving perfectly. It is possible to avoid causing an accident, however, and those same steps may help you react more quickly and avoid being the victim of an accident caused by someone else as well.

When you drive, be sure to:

Stay Sober. Avoid alcohol, marijuana, and prescription medications that can impact reaction time and clear thinking

Follow the Law. Obey traffic signs and signals. Make complete stops. Acknowledge right of way

Be Courteous. Use your turn signals. Avoid aggressive actions like tailgating. Create space for other vehicles to merge in and out of traffic

Give Yourself Space. Allow at least two car lengths between your vehicle and those in front of you in normal city traffic. Increase this distance to three car lengths on highways and interstates

And remember, even the best driver can’t always prevent someone else from causing an accident. If you sustain an injury or a family member is killed in a car or truck accident, Brown & Brown can help. Call our St. Louis office at 314-333-3333or our Fairview Heights office at 618-888-8888 to schedule a complimentary case review today. We serve families living in and around the Greater St. Louis area and throughout Missouri and Illinois. If your injury has made travel difficult, one of our attorneys will happily come to you.

Disclaimer: The information throughout this law firm website is not intended to be taken as legal advice. The information provided by Brown & Brown, LLP is intended to provide general information regarding personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, mass tort lawsuits, severe bodily injury, workers' compensation, SSDI, and more, for residents near St. Louis, MO, Fairview Heights, IL, and nearby areas of Missouri and Illinois. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact our law firm office today for a free, personal consultation.​​​​​​​ Read our nondiscrimination and ADA compliance statement.